Gladys Knight, the legendary singer and songwriter known as the Empress of Soul, was recently the target of a malicious death hoax that circulated on the internet. The rumor claimed that Knight had passed away in September 2023, causing panic and grief among her fans and admirers. However, the rumor was quickly debunked and proven to be false. Here is how the death hoax started and how it was exposed.
## The Origin of the Death Hoax
The death hoax originated from a YouTube channel named Allan Radio, which posted a video on September 23, 2023, claiming that they had received confirmation of Knight’s death. The video did not provide any details or sources for the claim, and simply showed a photo of Knight with the words “RIP Gladys Knight” and “1944-2023” on it.
The video was part of a series of videos posted by Allan Radio that same day, spreading false death news about several other celebrities, such as Ann-Margret, Simon Le Bon, Tom Selleck, Anne Heche, and more. The channel had turned off the comments for all the videos, preventing any feedback or criticism from the viewers.
The channel had also posted similar videos in the past, claiming that celebrities such as Cher, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, and Barbra Streisand had died. However, none of these videos had gained much attention or traction until the one about Knight.
## The Reaction to the Death Hoax
The video about Knight’s death quickly went viral on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Many people believed the video and expressed their shock and sadness over Knight’s supposed demise. Some also shared their memories and tributes to Knight’s music and legacy.
However, some people were skeptical and suspicious about the video and its source. They noticed that there was no official confirmation or announcement from Knight’s family or representatives. They also noticed that there was no coverage or report from any reputable news outlets or media sources.
Some people also recognized that Allan Radio was a notorious channel for spreading fake death hoaxes and that it had been exposed before. They tried to warn others not to fall for the hoax and to check the facts before sharing or believing anything.
## The Truth About Gladys Knight’s Status
As it turned out, Gladys Knight was alive and well in September 2023. She had not passed away as the video claimed. In fact, she had been busy preparing for an upcoming show at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden. She was a special guest on the last tour of The O’Jays, Last Stop On The Love Train. The performance was scheduled for August 12 at 7 PM¹.
Knight’s representatives also issued a statement denying the death hoax and condemning Allan Radio for spreading false and harmful information. They said that Knight was in good health and spirits and that she was looking forward to performing for her fans. They also said that they were taking legal action against Allan Radio for defamation and damages.
Knight herself also addressed the death hoax on her official Instagram account. She posted a video of herself singing “I’m Still Here” from The Color Purple musical. She captioned the video with:
“Hello everyone! I’m still here! I’m alive and kicking! Thank you all for your love and support! Don’t believe everything you see on the internet! God bless you all!”²
She also thanked The O’Jays for inviting her to their tour and said that she was excited to share the stage with them.
## The Lesson from the Death Hoax
The death hoax about Gladys Knight was a cruel and irresponsible act by Allan Radio that caused unnecessary distress and confusion among many people. It also showed how easy it is to spread misinformation and lies on the internet without any verification or accountability.
However, the death hoax also showed how important it is to be vigilant and critical when consuming information online. It also showed how valuable it is to rely on credible and trustworthy sources instead of random YouTube channels or social media posts.
Gladys Knight is one of the most respected and celebrated singers in history. She has won seven Grammy Awards³ and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Vocal Group Hall of Fame along with The Pips. She has also recorded two number-one Billboard Hot 100 singles and eleven number-one R&B singles. She is not dead, but alive and thriving.
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